THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED SMYC Restaurant Review

: There was never a Santa Monica harbor nor an associated Yacht Club, but thanks to Andrew Kirschner and partner Johnnie Jenkins (Tar & Roses) there is now a restaurant by the name: SMYC (Santa Monica Yacht Club). Contemporary design elements give a nod to a nautical theme with a row of rope-covered blue-glass pendant lanterns, a wall-mounted swordfish, a wood-paneled wall with an inlay of a subtle octopus shape and a glassed-in outdoor terrace. The space is meant to feel like the galley of a very luxurious yacht, and it does. Fresh oysters with yuzu mignonette are always there to start your meal, but everything else changes daily (although a lobster and burrata toast may extend its stay). Yellowtail crudo is punctuated with pickled plum, and mussels arrive in green curry. Charred octopus, blackened catfish and grilled swordfish with eggplant caviar are good examples of the seafood main courses. Beyond that, there's lamb kebab, bone-in New York steak and a melt-in-your-mouth five-spice pork jowl. The dynamic cocktail program by Brighid Maguire features housemade syrups and bitters with cocktails named after Kirschner's favorite surf spots. Craft beers on draught and interesting wines, orchestrated by Joe Baker, complement the various flavors in the dishes, with many wines offered by the half bottle. Rounding out the experience is the gracious staff focused on the comfort of each guest.